THE VOLUNTEERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3247, 3 July 1872, Page 7

THE VOLUNTEERS.

Tho following is the annual report of the District Adjutant, Major Atkinson :— Militia and Volunteer Office, Dunedin,, 10th Juno, 1872. Sir—l have the honour to make my seventh annual report of tho Volunteer Force under your command, and would bring to your notice, for the information of the Government, the following :— <;i,aks fiiuno. It will be seen that the strength of the Force on the 30th April, 1871, was «38 adults, and 227 Cadets, making a total of .1.105. On the last day of April of this year, tho strength was 1280, of which number 251 were Cadets, leaving the adult strength 1085, being an increase of 147. This includes the Southland companies, which haves been taken on the strength of this command during the past year. The total efficients are 875, of which number Oil practiced in 3rd class, 427 in the 2nd clsas, and 264 in the Ist class, 224 of whom are marksmen. Memo.—The following return shews the increase in tho number practiced : —

In previous yearn the Cadets were included with the adults. This year I have given them a separate return. 1 attach the analysis, marked A for the Volunteer Corps, arid B for Cadet Corps, showing the strength of efficients, and number practised, with figure of merit ; return of marksmen, marked C. I also forward the Company practice returns, in support of tho analysis. Tho highest scorer for the Battalion badge is Captain Jamieson, Scottish Rifles, with 119 points in the 2nd and Ist classes ; Lieutenant Muir, Dunedin Artillery, second, with 112 pomt1.

The Battalion badge was won last year with 107 points ; this year six men have made that number and upwards.

Tho East Taieri Rifles is the best shooting Company,, having practised 30 men out of a corps of 40 members. The whole of the mem practised have pasaed into the Ist class, 33 of whom have become marksmen. This is the second year this Company has taken first place. The practice has been very good, when it is taken into consideration that it is not required by the Volunteer Regulationa to constitute efficiency.

I would here make a comparison with 0110 of the crack corps of England, " The Robin Hood Rifles. Their progress return shows "that 700 members have completed the requirements in class firing during present year, while there are 202 marksmen authorised to wear the marksman's badge.'"— Vid-e Volunteer Gazette, Oth September, 1871, page 049. "While in this district 61.1 mien have fired in the classes, of whom 224 are marksmen, proving that this Province more than holds ila own with the rifle shots of the mother country. I recommend that some notice of the class firing be taken by the Government, in the direction of prizes—a gold or silver medal to the highest scorer in the Province, and a bronze medal to the highest scorer in the corps. It would only bo the first cost, as the badge would Iwj handed over each year to the winner. It would increase the interest in rifle shooting, and the class firing in particular. The Cadets fired in the 3rd class. The scoring is not so gooni, owing to the change of rides, and having to compete with weapons with which they had no practice. Ninety-two boys competed. -..Colour-Ser-geant T. Black is the highest scorer, with til points. Cadet li. Morrison is second, with 67 points. The boys are very attentive to their drill, and will prove themselves good iniitrksmen as they grow older. I btg to to recommend that the Cadets be encouraged to rille practice with prize medals, the ammo as suggested! for the adult corps. AIiMS AND AGCGUTRKMEXTS, The arms, with very few exceptions, are unserviceable fur accurate shooting ; the grooving ia inuiiih worn, so that the

bullet does not take the proper rotary motion. I call your special attention to this, as tho shooting must fall off as the ■weapon becomes defective. Most of the companies have provided themselves with accoutrements better suited to the requirements of the jforce. CAI'ITATIOX ANY CLOTHUNO. Would it not be better if the capitation grant were given for services rendered instead of tho present system, giving each volunteer PA for the present parade qualification, 5a each for their classes in the annual course of class firing I By this, I mean the money to be given for each twenty rounds fired, no matter in what class, so that if a man fails in the 3rd class, he can try again to the extent of 60 rounds; and os for attending six Battalion drills where Battalions are formed, and

where such does not exist, six extra company drills. I fed confident it would do good, and cause the corps to take greater interest in attending drill. The Oamaru, fcfampden, Kiverton, and No. 1 and 2 Company Rifles havo adopted the gray uniform. It looks well, mid is much more serviceable- than the scarlet, Jess liable to be soiled and will last much j longer. Ab the corps are all well clothed, may I suggest that groat coats and waterproof haversacks bo provided and deducted from the capitation grant, as in the event of an encampment or being called out for service, the force is unprovided with the necessary covering for wet and cold weather, or any convenience for carrying provisions or extra ammunition ? BWtIAA A.N» INHPBCTIONS... Under the present regulations, the Country Corps are visited once in the quarter, the Dunedin Corpu are inspected every month. A« the coq>s are numerous, I. cannot stay long at each. I purpose continuous drills. It could bo carried out as follows :—By allowing the same travelling and forage allowance as at present for the Staff" Sergeants, and calling in to Dunedin the Staff Sergeant stationed at Invercargill. A Sergeant could be sent to each of the Country Corps to remain one month, during that time to hold fifteen drills for the company, and ten recruit and mxiskotry chills ; also the Corps could go through their class firing, the Sergeant acting as marker. The men would learn more, and the officers would have a better opportunity of acquiring a knowledge of their duties. As it now is, the visits of the Staff are only flying ones ; and if the weather should be wet, the Company cannot muster for instruction. If my suggestions were adopted, the Staff would attend at the Reason of the year moat convenient for the Corps, during the fine weather and long days. I havo every confidence that very great benefit would result from con- i tinuous drills, particularly to the Country Corps. I)KIJ,I, SHEDS. Since my last report, the Dunedin Artillery- have built a large and commodious drill shed in a central position in Dunedin, in which they have placed their guns and stores. 1 have every hope that the rifle companies in Dunedin will come to an understanding with the Artillery Corps for the use of their shed. This will enable me to carry on the recruits and musketry drills during the winter months. The Country Corps, with the exceptions of the Olutha and Waikouaiti Companies, have good and serviceable places to drill in. IUKLK KAKOES AND TAKOETB. The Corps aro all provided -with good and safe ranges to the extent of. 800 yards. They are much in want of targets. The one set at tho Dunedin range, the property of tho Government, is worn out. Would you be pleased to recommend^ the Government to supply this want ? The Companies consider it a great hardship to be compelled to find their own targets, and now that the capitation grant has been reduced 10s per man they cannot afford tho cost. AMMUNITION. The ammunition has been of good quality and the quantity ample. The Government grant to Corps has been 100,400 rounds. The quantity purchased has been 84,900 rounds, making a total-of 185,300 rounds expended since April, 187 J. CADETS. There are 251 Cadets under training. This does not include the boys at the District Schools, who are drilled twice a week, but are not in regular gazetted corps. The boys attend to their drill, and are making considerable progress. Some of the officers and non-commissioned officers will make good drill instructors. Tho Rector and Masters of the district schools are very anxious about the drill of their boys, and they encourage it by their attendance at the drill-ground. GENERAL EFFICIENCY. The Companies arc in an excellent state of efficiency, when it is taken into consideration that the Dunedin Corps have been without a drill-shed during tho past year, and that tho Corps have had no winter drill or musketry instruction. The spirit for volunteering is becoming more a matter of duty than pleasure or amusement. The Inspector of Militia and Volunteers made his annual inspection of the Corps in March laat ; the Artillery and Naval corps had shot and shell practice. Ho also inspected the Battalion at drill. I have every confidence that his report will be favourable. The class firing returns show not only an increase, in the number practised but a higher figure of merit than ever before obtained: —tho average of the Scottish Rifles being greater than any I can find in the Volunteer Force in England. The fact that Otago has for the sixth time in succession obtained the high honour of being the cliampion shots of the Colony—the Champion Belt being won twice in succession !by Captain "Wales, the Silver Challenge Cup, eight of the prize rifles, and onehalf the money prizes competed for at the late Government Rifle Matches, coming to Otago, with seventeen representatives against a field of over thirty from the other Provinces, clearly proves that their proficiency as marksmen has .not diminished. I beg that yon will recommend that all future competitions for Government prizes be carried on as at Shoeburyness—that the competitors be regularly encamped, and cany on duty as if on actual service. The large number of Field and Staff - Officers required to carry on the rifle matches would enI able the Inspector to impart careful ! instruction successfully. lam confident that all the Militia and Volunteers within a reasonable distance of the camp ground would take advantage of tho opportunity lof gaining a knowledge of their field duties. To the officers it would be a special benefit. 1 would refer you to Lieutenant-Colonel Ohurnside's Royal Artillery report on. tho Artillery meeting at Shoeburyness, in which he reports :— " The eairp duties havo been carried out according to regulations, and the tents and ground have been kept in excellent order. The marching in was conducted with creditable punctuality, and the men on arriving presented a steady and soldierlike appearance. Tho duties of guards and picquefa were all duly executed to any full satisfiiction." The camp

equipments could be saved out of the detention allowance iv two years. In conclusion, I have again to express my thanks to the officers, noncommiK-siont-rt olbtx-rs, nuA volunteers, for the kind and gcntleuwu.'-) manner iv which they have assisted mo in the performance of my duties, and I have every confidence that in submitting this report to the Inspector of Militia and Volunteers, you i will express yourself satisfied with the ; present state of the force. I I trust that the marksmen will be gazetted, and that the badges so well earned may be issued. I have, <&c., (Signed) J. J. Atkinson, ■ Major, District Adjutant. Petty Officer Jacobs, of the Naval Brigade, has presented a splendid silver cup to be shot rfor by members of that Com- • pany. There are to be three competitions for it—the first at 300 and 000 yards, the second at 200 and £>00 yards, the third at 200, 300, 500, and GOO yards ; ten shots at each range, in the first and second competitions, five at each range in the third ; Wimbledon targets.; position, standing at 200 and 300 yards, amd any at 500 and GOO; the highest aggregate scorer in the three competitions to win- the cup. The proposed sale of tho Artillery Drill Shed to the town Volunteer companies is now being conducted by 'officers of tho several companies. Each company i» to contribute a fifth part of the amount of the purchase money,, the Artillery Conn pany also giving that proportion for its aright to use.the shed after the sale. Tho purchase is now, wo understand, as good as concluded. It is intended by the companies, on taking over tho shed, to board the floor,so as to render it better adapted for drill pin-poses, and al«o for concerts and bails, and meetings connected with the force. They also intend to put np ah armoury and offices, and a small shed for tho guns. The Artillery Company held tho third competition for 'their Challenge Belt at tho Anderson's Bay Rifle Range on the afternoon of the Bth June. The weather was all that could be desired, but the shooting was below the usual average,' especially at the first range, owing, wo presume, to the lateness of the season. The conditions wete :• —Five shots at 300, 400, 500, and GOO yards ; Hythe position at the first two ranges, and any position at the others ; Wimbledon targets ; no sighting shots, &c. Government rifles and ammunition. The following are tho scores of those who made above 50

Gunner Reid, in shooting off the tie with Gunnor Lambert, won easily, and holds the Hclt for the ensuing six months. The Waikan Rangers competed on the 13th 'June for prizes presented by Ensign Mackenzie, to be shot for by members of the company in a handicap rifle match. The priy/es were a valuable field-glass and a handsome concertina. The day was fine, but very cold, there being snow on the ground, owing to which, doubtless, tho competitors were not so numerous as they would be otherwise. The prizes were given with 4;he view of drawing out the non-shooting members of the company, and encouraging them to practise. The conditions were—ranges, 200, 300, and 400 yards, five shots at each range ; position—standing at 200, kneeling at 300, and any position at 400. The match team to start from scratch, and other members allowed points according to their average shooting. The prize-takers were Corporal Hepburn, Ist prize, with 53 points (8 points allowed) ; and Lieutenant Marshall, 2nd prize, with 48 points (no points allowed). The third and final competition for the holding of the Port Chalmers Naval Company's Belt for six months took place on the I.7th June, when for the third time Petty Officer G. Wilson wrested from Lieut. Goldie tho trophy by only one point. Both men tied at their third last shot for the aggregate of the three competitions, as also at their second last shot. There being then only one shot to be fired, agood deal of excitement was created, when Goldie made a centre at 000 yards, but was followed by Wilson with a bull's-eye. Tho conditions for the Belt are :—Three competitions every six months, each within a week of the other ; five shots at each range : the first series at 200, 300, and 400 yards, second at 300, 400, and 500 yards, and last at 400, 500, and 000 yards ; Wimbledon targets ; position— standing at 200 and 300 yards, kneeling at 400 yards, and any fit 500 and GOO yards. The total result is as follows :— Ist 2nd 3rd match, match, match. P.O. Wilson ... 40 ... 40 ... 45 — 131 Lient. Goldie... 41 ... 45 ... 44—130 P.O. Kettle ... 44 ... 35 ... 20—105 None of the remaining competitors succeeded in scoring 100 points. The day was cold and windy from S.W. The members of the Dunedin Rifle Club met on tho 22nd June, for the twelfth competition, at ranges cf 200 and 500 yards. The conditions were — seven shots at each range ; standing at 200 yards, and any position at 500 yards ; Wimbledon targets and scoring. Fiftysix members competed, which, considering the weather, was a fair number, and the shooting on the whole was good. The following are the prize-takers and their

3rd Class '2nd Glass 1st Class iSfarkaitton 1870. 472 330 181 I5G 1871. 524 353 239 209 1872. Gil 427 2G4 224

points :— 300 Lieut. Muir )2 Gun. I). Keid.... 11 ,, Lanibort... JO ,, T. Muir ... 10 ,, Fonlyco.... 9 „ (Jato 0400 17 10 17 17 15 10 500 14 1G 17 13 15 14 (500 Tl. 11—54 10—59 15—59 IG-fiO 10—55 12 -51

awiun . 200 500 Tl. Gunner Fonlyce, Art. ..6 19 23-48 Vol. Bridges,* No. 1. ... 8 18 21—47 Vol. T. flutcliinson, N.D. 2 21 21—44 Vol. J. Frew, N. IX ... 5 16 23-44 Licnt. Marshall, Wsikari 0 22 21—43 Ensign M'Keiizie.Waikari 0 22 21—43 Vol. J. Key, Band ... 10 20 13—43